Salvatore Bordonali

Salvatore F. “Sam” Bordonali, 90, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 1, 2015, at Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace, Florida. Sam was born on April 18, 1924 in Monroe, NY and throughout his life lived in Lakewood, NJ; Levittown, NY; Paramus, NJ; Wayside, NJ; Reading, PA and finally Oldsmar, FL. He is predeceased by his parents, Ignazio Bordonali and Pauline Blondina, as well as his brothers and sisters, John Bordonali, Ben Bordonali, Mary Cox, Anna Vitale, Ida Bulaga, Virginia “GiGi” Gamba.Sam is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine “Tootie” Pillion Bordonali, his children, John Bordonali (Terry), Frank Bordonali, Jeanne Williscroft (Glenn), James Bordonali (Vera), Jacqueline Griggs (Kevin), and Kathleen Duran (Sean); his grandchildren, Mario Bordonali, Bryan Williscroft, Erin Williscroft, Elena Bordonali, Andrea Bordonali, Grace Griggs, Bridget Duran. Extended family includes, sister-in-law Virginia Matthews and numerous nieces and nephews. Sam enlisted in the Marines in December of 1942. He left high school to train at Camp Lejeune and served in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the Marine Bombing Squadron 613. His military occupational specialty was mechanic-turret gunner, aviation. He also was a member of the 11th Motor Transport Battalion and held the rank of Platoon Sergeant. Sam earned the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars. His wish was to learn to fly while in the service, but had to wait until he was discharged. Using the GI Bill, he became a pilot and ran several small local airports in New Jersey. In August of 1951, he was hired by United Air Lines and had a fabulous career for 33 years! Sam also had a great love for the game of golf which could be categorized as an obsession. He would even take his golf clubs with him on trips so that he could play while on a layover. Sam had an infectious charismatic personality and was immediately liked by everyone he met. He loved helping people, but his greatest joy, however, was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later time.